The Silverado 1500 and F-150 have been going head to head since the former debuted in 1999. Both pickups are taking huge evolutionary leaps in the 2020s by offering fully electric versions. Ford may have beat GM to the punch with its 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, but that isn’t stopping Chevy from forging ahead with the debut of their all-new electric pickup, the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV. The decades-long rivalry shows no signs of stopping; even before either of these EVs has met the hands of consumers, they’re subject to comparison. In a matchup of the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV vs 2022 Ford F-150 Lighting, there are sure to be fierce adversaries on both sides.
These American-made pickups seem to have a lot in common—at least on the surface. It’s the characteristics that set them apart that will determine their futures.
Capability
Pickups are revered for their brawn, while EVs and hybrids are often lumped into categories on the opposite end of the performance spectrum. In reality, EVs have their own flavor of capability with their own set of strengths.
Torque, for example, maps very differently in an EV. In internal combustion (IC) engines, torque is maximized once the engine gets up to a specific rpm. In EVs, torque is at its height right from the get-go. This essentially translates to EVs being faster off the line and is especially useful for heavy-hauling pickups, which require a high degree of torque at low rpms to move significant weight. Of course, when comparing EV performance, range is always going to be part of the discussion; so will ease of charging.
Chevy’s newcomer is slated to be extra beefy. When Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode is engaged, the full power of the Silverado EV is accessible, allowing for 660 hp and 780 lb-ft of torque. With a 0-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds in WOW mode, you start to understand where its name comes from. The Silverado EV will also see maneuverability gains with 4-wheel steering. When all four tires turn together, a tighter turning radius can be achieved—an important development for vehicles that historically favor strength over dexterity.
Speaking of strength, the Chevy Silverado EV has a towing capacity of up to 10,000 lbs, with plans for a future model with a towing capacity of 20,000 lbs already in the works. Strength isn’t all the Silverado EV has, thanks to GM’s Ultium battery. This battery is estimated to run 400 miles on a full charge.
As far as charging goes, the options are flexible. The Silverado EV will be compatible with 120V, 240V, as well as DC public fast charging—which generates 100 miles of juice in just 10 minutes.
If there’s one thing Ford really understands, it’s that pickup trucks pair well with hard work. Ford specializes in fleet vehicles and is no stranger to crafting a vehicle for hard work. The Ford F-150 Lightning is no exception, with its 563 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. However, both of these figures fall below the Silverado’s projected ratings. The Lighting will be capable of 10,000 lbs of towing and a 2,000-lb payload. The “frunk” alone has a payload capacity of 400 lbs.
Its 0-60 mph time is in the same range as the Silverado EV. The F-150 Lightning has its own nifty driving modes as well, although they’re not as flashy as the WOW. The modes are normal, sport, tow/haul, and off-road.
The F-150 Lightning has a couple of battery options to consider, too. There’s the standard 230-range battery and an extended 300-range battery, both of which fall short of the Silverado. Conveniently, Ford offers a charging station that will provide a full charge in eight hours.
Style
Chevy and Ford have opposite strategies for the design of their flagship EV pickups. While Ford stays true to the styling of the IC engine F-150, the Silverado EV bears little in common with its predecessor. EVs have presented new challenges for designers, the most interesting of which being the obsolete components. What should they do with space dedicated to parts that EVs don’t use, like air intake and exhaust systems?
The Chevy Silverado EV favors sleek angles and aerodynamics over boxy bulk. It has a similar, futuristic aesthetic to other EVs hitting the market. Chevy has created a completely different look from the IC engine Silverado 1500. It’s still unmistakably a pickup, especially when fitted with available 24-in. wheels. Lighting has proven to be an important visual motif for pickup EVs, and the Silverado continues the trend of adding a light bar to the front fascia for a distinct nighttime presence. The Chevy bowtie emblem lights up as well, ensuring the Silverado EV will turn heads when it’s cruising after dark.
The F-150 Lightning may take a lot of style cues from the IC engine F-150, but it isn’t without flair. There’s a panel on the ample front that resembles a grille—for a very truck-like look. The F-150 Lightning has a light bar of its own, which has a more dominant appearance than the Chevy’s. Ford’s light bar also trails down the outside of the headlights and brake lights, creating a frame of light that’s seamless from front to back.
Features
Vehicle manufacturers know the direction the industry is heading, and they’re pulling out all the stops to make sure their EVs are competitive in the coming years. That means the development of tech-forward features and an emphasis on comfort and convenience.
Although both pickups are manufactured in Michigan, they’ll include plenty of parts that were produced elsewhere and imported into the United States. One element of the Silverado EV that will be 100% American is the seats, made by Lear. In fact, Lear is based in Michigan, the very state where GM was founded and is headquartered to this day.
Chevy loves an intuitive tailgate—one that expands the truck’s storage capacity, rather than boxing it up. The Multi-Flex Midgate with pass-through accommodates up to 10 ft. of length by extending beyond the bed and through the cab. The tailgate and cab can be configured a number of different ways to fit the shape of whatever one needs to haul.
The Silverado EV will also be compatible with Super Cruise, Chevy’s hands-free driving assistance technology. This tech is effective on a grid of 200,000 miles of road trailing through the United States and Canada. The panoramic, sun-filtering roof and monstrous 17-in. screen are cherries on top of this sundae straight out of the future.
Ford has developed its EV pickup with utility in mind. We use electricity every day, and the F-150 Lightning acts as a generator when we’re in need of some juice. You can get up to 9.6 kW of power from the 11 outlets, including four 120V outlets (found in the class-leading 14.1-cu.ft. frunk) and one 240V outlet. The F-150 Lightning can even power a home for up to 10 days in case of an outage.
A 15.5-in. portrait touchscreen has a number of smart features designed to make life easier for the driver. Even better, Ford prioritizes ease of towing and hauling with the following features:
- Onboard Scales will display the current payload, so you know when you’re approaching the limit. It also has a tare feature that allows you to zero the scale out and see the weight of additional cargo.
- Smart Hitch is a safety feature designed to help the driver ensure weight is evenly distributed, promising a safer tow.
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist takes over operation of the F-150 Lightning to properly align the hitch with the trailer.
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps when you’re hitched to a trailer and you need to reverse. By turning a knob, you can change the angle of the trailer for more predictable maneuvering.
- Trailer Reverse Guidance uses several cameras to enhance visibility while reversing with a trailer.
A Bright Future
The Ford F-150 has held the title of best-selling truck for over 40 years. Ford hopes to continue that legacy with the edition of the F-150 Lightning to their lineup, while Chevy is gunning for the top spot with their Silverado 1500 EV. Nobody knows what the future holds, but it’s safe to assume that pickup trucks will continue to be one of the most-loved methods of transportation in the United States. With the addition of these EVs to the market, the popularity of pickups is sure to rise to new heights.
